by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, visual communications was the 154th most popular major nationwide with 5,765 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 108 over the prior year, a growth of 1.9%.
This year's Best Visual Communications Schools ranking compares 116 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of graphic arts programs later in this article.
Visual Communications majors are found most commonly in careers in which giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times is important. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and talking to others to convey information effectively.
visual communications degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific graphic arts careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Graphic Arts degree levels vary. Visual Communications programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest graphic arts degree you can get. Visual Communications programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to graphic arts, with approximately 45.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for graphic arts workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 37.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 28.2% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 6.8% |
| Some College Courses | 4.8% |
About 80.8% of workers in careers related to graphic arts obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in visual communications have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which graphic arts career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your graphic arts degree? Visual Communications careers are expected to grow 6.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to visual communications.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designers | 277,400 | 4.2% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | 41,400 | 4.3% |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | 16,100 | 10.3% |
| Designers | 9,500 | 5.6% |
As you might expect, salaries for graphic arts graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for visual communications graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers graphic arts grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,430 |
| Designers | $68,610 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $61,020 |
| Graphic Designers | $54,680 |
With over 435 different graphic arts degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased graphic arts school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Design & Applied Arts area of study, Visual Communications has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 8,710 |
| Interior Design | 5,840 |
| Commercial & Advertising Art | 3,597 |
| Fashion Design | 3,103 |
| Game & Interactive Media Design | 2,692 |
